By Li Qiang, bostonese.com
Boston, July 12, 2016, — Just days before leaving for the Cooper Competition, Andrew Li gave an amazing recital at M Steinert and Sons in downtown Boston. About 80 music fans packed the small hall on the third floor of 162 Boylston St., right across Boston Common. They were treated with a night of beautiful music from one the of the rising stars in classic music in Boston.
Andrew (right) and George pose for a picture before the recital (photos by Li Qiang).
In the first half of the recital, Andrew Li was masterful in playing solo pieces by Chopin, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Scarlatti, Mendelssohn and Liszt. After intermission, Andrew and his brother George played piano concerto by Grieg. They received standing ovation and loud cheers at the end of their brilliant performances.
Andrew Li has shown his love and gifts of music since his early years. Starting at age seven, he won First Prize in the Bay State Piano Competition for five consecutive years. In 2009 and 2010, Andrew won First Prize in the Steinway Competition in Boston in Division One and Division Two. He played a solo recital in October of 2010 in Utica, NY. In June of 2013, Andrew performed at the prestigious Rockport Chamber Music Festival. In January of 2014, Andrew gave a performance of Grieg’s Piano Concerto with the Symphony Pro Musica. Andrew joined his brother in October of 2014 to perform in the recital series at Hamilton College. In November of the same year, Andrew won First Prize in the annual concerto competition of the Prep School of the New England Conservatory.
“I try to attend every performance of George Li in Boston since he was 9-year-old. I’m surprised that Andrew is also a brilliance pianist. What a lucky family!” said Ms. Shuping Yao.
Liz Diamond, who hosted the recital, posed on Facebook: “Piano superstar Andrew Li performed a stunning recital at Steinert tonight! Second half he was joined by George Li, his brother–audience was breathless and exuberant in appreciation for masterful artistry and inspired musical prowess. Unforgettable!”
Besides being a piano soloist, Andrew is also a fervent chamber musician. He, with the Brioso Trio, were featured on the From The Top radio show. In February of 2014, the Trio won Second Prize at the New England Chamber Music Festival competition. In June of 2014, Andrew was featured as a soloist on the From the Top radio show, and has performed at From the Top functions.
Andrew has been studying piano with Ms. Dorothy Shi since he was six. Currently, he studies with Professor Wha Kyung Byun at the New England Conservatory as well as Ms. Shi. Andrew also enjoys playing the violin. He was accepted in the North Eastern Music Festival orchestra, serving as the principal second violin.
In 2016 Andrew competed in the Boston Symphony’s Youth Concerto Competition winning First Place, which means he has the honor of performing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 2017.
For recreation, Andrew enjoys playing baseball and basketball, as well as reading history and fiction. The following is more pictures from Andrew Li’s recital.
